Amendment of Constitution: Letters to The Editor

Amendment of Constitution

My letter is in direct reference to the article written by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma published in your esteemed daily on June 25 under the title 'Resolution of 25th June'. In this context, I want to add that the late Indira Gandhi has amended the Indian Constitution 31 times which is the highest, followed by her father Jawaharlal Nehru 16 times, followed by her son Rajiv Gandhi 11 times. During Manmohan Singh's tenure, the Constitution was amended six times. In between Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the Constitution was amended 53 times. That's outrageous. The amended or altered the Constitution according to their sweet will and desires.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

COVAXIN is not

approved by WHO

Covaxin, India's homemade COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been approved by the WHO. Unfortunately, Covaxin users cannot travel abroad without WHO approval. As a result, students will have great difficulty in getting an education abroad. Therefore, the Prime Minister of the country needs to take immediate steps to get approval from the WHO.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Misinformation about CAA

The results of the Assembly polls in the State have proved that one cannot fool all the people all the time. Once the Central government declared to table CAB in the Parliament since then a section became active in spreading all the lies about the then CAB. The opportunistic leaders started spreading rumours that lakhs and lakhs of Hindus from the Islamic nations of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan would engulf India, threatening the very existence of genuine Indian citizens. In Assam, the plan succeeded as various organizations opposing CAB/CAA branded the persecuted minority community in Bangladesh as infiltrators who are out to outnumber us socially and culturally. Their diabolic game plan succeeded for a while but when people understood their intention and also understood CAA properly it became a non-issue. All the opportunistic anti-CAA leaders bite the dust.

Joel Goyari,

Tangla.

Robert Bruce's final resting place

Robert Bruce was the man who introduced Assam's tea to the world in the early part of the 19th century. Bruce's contribution is something that we cannot repay. It is for him that Assam is known all over the world for its tea. But the sad part is that Robert Bruce's final resting place in Tezpur is in a precarious situation. It has turned into a grazing ground for cattle and goats. It is true we cannot repay Bruce for his contribution but we can surely accord him his due respect. I urge the State government through your esteemed daily to construct a boundary wall around his grave and also we can think of a small museum in his honour showcasing the history of tea.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.

Illegal privileges

After the government announced that vaccination will be available at mass level to people at their nearest Public Health Centres and can thereby book their appointments then and there, eradicating the issue of online slot booking, people have been waiting since early morning hours in long queues to avail their dose of vaccination.

Not to miss, we common people already are aware of the unhygienic conditions of the centres, with no proper infrastructure to help people sit and relax before the vaccination in this scorching heat.

And adding to that, the common public has also to go through circumstances like this, which is disheartening and need concern from the government at large.

On June 24, at Uparhali Public Health Centre, people were as usual standing in queues to take vaccines. At that moment two of the females started entering the queue from the front despite reaching the centre quite late. To which the people standing in the queue stood against it but rather got very badly verbally assaulted by one of the staff of the PHC. I was a female with the right to speech and stand to fairness along with the rest of the people who felt the violation of democracy and it still makes me introspect on my fundamental rights. Adding to that, most common people are being hindered to receive vaccination and sent back continuously because of such privileges being given to a few numbers of people who follow illegal notions.

Rude mannerism is a common phenomenon whenever we go to a government centre, however, we do expect these practices to be removed after the charge of the new government and we public deserve the democracy to speak against the wrong. Proper behavioural training is a must before there's an appointment for any kind of job because 'your behaviour is your identity.

Moreover, I request the government to look into these public centres and strictly instruct them not to follow any kind of illegal privilege in terms of vaccination.

Rajashree Das,

Guwahati.

True intention out

General Secretary of AJP Jagdish Bhuyan who is also a migratory bird in a recent byte indicated that the AJP has no issues to join hands with the Congress in the ensuing by-elections in some of the constituencies. His condition is that the alliance should not have AIUDF. Jagdish Bhuyan is perhaps the biggest curse in the AJP. A man with no principles who started his political journey with AGP then was in NAGP then again back to AGP, then BJP and for the time being AJP. Now going by his new love for the Congress, one shouldn't be shocked if he is seen in Rajiv Bhawan sooner. When the same question was asked to AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi he handled it tactfully indicating enough that he still stands by his words of not aligning with any national party. Lurinjyoti Gogoi has miles to go to get the nuances of politics. He learnt the hard way when he lost badly from two seats in the last polls. Just 18 months back it was all Lurinjyoti Gogoi on TV screens and newspapers during the anti-CAA movement. His one command was sufficient to lakhs of souls jumping on it. All said and done the best thing for the likes of Lurinjyoti Gogoi and others are not to rush. Don't contest the by-elections. Watch and note the political scenario and decide. He should remember every national party is not untouchable of course barring Congress.

Dhiman Senchowa,

North Lakhimpur.

Population control

The government is contemplating measures to control population explosion, particularly among the Bengali speaking Muslims from Bangladesh who has inhabited the riverine areas of the State. All the evil practices are followed there, starting from multiple marriages, child marriage and uncontrolled birth rate. If the present trend is allowed to continue for five to 10 years the indigenous people will be a minority in their land. We appreciate the government's move to set some conditions to avail government welfare benefits which include child policy. Another appreciable thinking of the government is to give exemption to ST, SC and tea tribe people. The guardians of the Miya community are of the view that due to lack of education, awareness, health facilities these people are going for a high birth rate. Now, what will the sympathizers of these people say when these people can perform looting, robbery, kidnapping, drugs trade, encroachment, poaching, etc? These people have sufficient brain to hide their identity and indulge in love jihad. I do agree that illiteracy is on the higher side among them but it should not be justified that due to it they indulge in criminal activities. The flawless execution of the crimes doesn't suggest that they are innocent. Population explosion is purposefully done by them to grab the entire Assam and convert the present majority indigenous people into a minority. The threat which every Asomiya people are going through is because of unabated illegal infiltration which happened under the very dictation of past Congress government.

Purabi Miri,

Jakhalabandha.

Cases related to TMC

In the above-mentioned heading in your daily dated 24/06/21, apart from other allegations, the writer has made certain allegations that the two Supreme Court judges have refused to hear the two cases involving Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal. In this regard, the writer has failed to visualize that when there is a conflict of interest, a judge can withdraw from hearing a case to prevent a perception that she/he carried a bias while deciding the case. And this conflict of interest can exist because of a variety of reasons - he/she held shares in a company that is a litigant before him/her or personal association with a party involved in the case.

The practice stems from the principle of due process of law that nobody can be a judge in his cause (the legal maxim for the particular principle is Nemo Judex in Causa Sua). Conflict of interest can be a valid ground for a judge to withdraw from a case since a judge has to act fairly. There are no formal rules for governing the process and the process itself is called recusal. It is not necessary to give reasons for recusal as there are no fixed rules but it is often left to individual judges to record reasons for recusal. So the duty to act fairly may be the reason why the two recused from the case.

Rajib Baruah,

Advocate, Guwahati High Court

Support examinees

In Assam, due to the 2nd wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, HSLC and HS Examinations have been cancelled. Keeping in view of the current infection rate of the Covid-19 and prioritizing the safety of the students, the State government, after making a series of discussions with all concerned, has decided to cancel both the examinations this year. Though this decision has made a section of examinees and parents upset, it's seen that most of the people have welcomed the decision of the government.

It's obvious that both HSLC and HS examinations have special importance in student life. These two examinations are indeed regarded as milestones in their careers. The HSLC is the first board examination in student life. So, the students and parents all have great expectations for this examination. It's believed that the result of the HSLC examination builds the foundation for higher education. On the basis of the results the students can be assessed, which students are suitable for which streams. Moreover, when a student shines in HSLC or HS examination, it not only inspires that particular student, it not only brings a ray of hope to the student and his family but also inspires the junior students of the school and the neighbouring schools also. It even creates a positive environment in the entire locality. In fact, these results have indeed a great impact on the uplift of society. So, the cancellation of the two examinations has indeed disheartened the examinees.

Though all were eagerly waiting for these two examinations, the question of the feasibility of holding these two examinations was certainly there. It's because the present environment can't be regarded as ideal for holding the said two examinations. The deadly 2nd wave of Covid-19 can't be underestimated at all. The infection of the deadly Covid-19 is still on and people are expiring every day. So, it's better not to take risks at this point. It's indeed a good decision of the government.

It's truly said that health is wealth. Whatever one does, first one has to stay alive. So, health is the first priority and nothing can be compromised when the issue is related to life and death.

But it's also true that a large number of the examinees are deeply distressed. A section of the examinees feels that all their efforts, all their dreams of passing the first board examination of life with flying colours, have ended in smoke. They are greatly depressed. News has come that an examinee has committed suicide recently. If it's true, it is truly unfortunate. The matter should be treated seriously so that no such unfortunate incident takes place again. The role of parents and teachers will indeed be significant in this concern. It's true that the students may not feel the seriousness of the current deadly situation created by the pandemic. A section of the students of this age group is indeed emotional. They are not mature enough to go through all the pros and cons of the present situation. They may not see the current situation from all angles. So, it's the duty of every parent to provide their children with proper guidance. Parents, as well as family members, should try their best to make them aware of the current situation. Moreover, they should give them mental support so that they can overcome this setback easily. The role of the teacher will also be very significant here. Because students have a special respect for their teachers and follow their advice. The teachers should give the students good counselling to remove their sadness. No doubt teachers always give the students good advice. They have an immense contribution to the life of a student. They are doing their duties well. But still, since the situation is somewhat different, all should pay some special attention to the examinees. All should encourage them, inspire them and show them the right path. All should try to make them understand the positive side of the decision.

However, one thing is crystal clear that the Covid will not completely disappear from society. The rate of infection may decrease, but won't end completely. Then what will happen in the future? Will the examinations disappear from the education system forever? These are indeed some challenging questions.

As it becomes clear that the Covid will not disappear from society within a short span of time, one must be practical at the same time. If Covid lingers for long, it's true that one must learn to live in the midst of Covid-19. One must learn to keep oneself away from its infection. For this, one must follow the standard operating procedure in every step. At the same time, taking lessons from this situation, some standard operating procedures should be designed for the school examinations also. Moreover, the process of Internal assessment should be conducted aptly in every school and it should be made mandatory in schools so that if such situations occur in future, results can be declared on the basis of the internal assessment. One is optimistic that the authorities concerned will consider all these pros and cons seriously.

One thing must be said that the safety of students is the first priority. For this, there should be a provision for a maximum number of examination centres in future so that social distancing, which is considered to be a key factor to stay away from Covid infection, is well maintained in the examination hall. Moreover, there should be a provision for the students who live in hostels that they can appear in the examination in their nearest centre. All the more, there should be some special provisions also for the students belonging to contentment zones and sick students. In fact, the examination system should be designed to face any emergency in future.

It's obvious that it's a very critical time. All are facing challenges along with the student community. In this critical juncture what is much needed is to have patience and follow all the Covid protocols. Good days will certainly come. The most important thing is to be prepared for the future taking lessons from current situations created by the Covid-19.

Basanta Baruah,

Kaliapani, Jorhat.